jackson



(No Model.)

H. 'MAROHETER. CONVERTIBLE BED AND FIRE BSGAPE.

No. 552,132. Patented D60. 31, 1895.

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7 K 70 WITNESSES: 70 INVENTOH UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY MAROHETER, OF VVALLACEBURG, CANADA.

CONVERTIBLE BED AND FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 552,132, dated December 31 1895. Application filed April 26, 1895. Serial No. 547,256. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY MARoHErER, of Wallaceburg, county of Kent, Province of Ontario, and Dominion of Canada, have invented a new and Improved Convertible Bed and Fire-Escape, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to an improved spring-bed that is adapted for use as a fire-escape, and has for its object to provide a simple, novel, all-metallic spring-bed when the device is in folded condition, which will serve all the purposes of an elastic bed-bottom when in position on a bedstead, and which is adapted for a quick and convenient extension to afford a safe ladder of ample length to extend from the bedstead whereon one end of the said ladder is secured, through a window in an upper room of a building, to hang pendent therefrom to the ground for use as a fireescape.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter de scribed and indicated in the claim.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improvement folded to produce a spring-bed. Fig. 2 is a perspective view in part of the device partly unfolded and projected through a window to provide a fire-escape, and Fig. 3 is a front view of the improvement fully extended from a window as a ladder that may nearly reach the ground.

In carrying into effect the features of illvention a suitable number of comparatively thin metallic strips 10 are provided, these having equal length and preferably the same breadth and thickness. The length of the strips 10 is such as will adapt them to extend the full width of a bedstead and rest thereon, any proper support being furnished as a foundation for the improved structure that afiords a spring bed-bottom. A proper number of shorter strips 11 of equal length are pivoted near their ends, as at 10, on the end portions of the strips 10, so as to provide two similar series of these link-connected strips. A series of substantially-U-shaped springpieces 12 are riveted or otherwise secured at their ends on the strips 10 at equal distances apart, the said spring-pieces having the same degree of curvature, which is sufficient to render the device effective as a bed-spring or ladder, and the springs being disposed with their ends projecting in the same direction, hold the two series of strips or bars 10 and the links 11 spaced apart in parallel planes, as shown in Fig. 3.

To arrange the device for use as a springbed, the several sections thereof, composed respectively of a pair of the strips 10 and intervening U-shaped springs 12, are disposed in parallel planes, these sections being spaced apart by the links 11, that are then turned at right angles to the strips and are located in pairs alternately at opposite sides of the spring-bed structure, as represented in Fig. 1. It will be seen that if a sufiicient number of link-connected sections is provided, a springbed will be afforded that will cover the entire area of a bedstead and form a complete spring bed-bottom for the reception of a mattress and other bedclothing necessary to equip the bed for use.

It is essential for employment of the improvement as a fire-escape that one end of the structure be secured by any suitable means 011 the frame of the bedstead. If occasion requires the immediate use of a ladder for escape of occupants of the bed or others from the elevated room wherein the improved spring-bed may be placed, the latter can be instantly converted into a fireproof safety-ladder if the free end of the bed structure is pulled toward and projected from an open window in said room. After the entire eX- tended spring-bed has thus been hung pendent from the bedstead, which will hold the improved ladder secured at its upper end, the bed-springs 12 and other parts of the bed-bottom then become a commodious ladder for the speedy and safe descent ofthe inmates of the room or house that is provided with the improvement.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- A combined spring bed and fire escape, comprising a plurality of bed sections, each consisting of tWo metal strips and a number of when the sections are unfolded, substantially U-shaped springs rigidly secured at their as set forth. ends to the respective strips, and link bars uniting the ends of said sections to form a 5 continuous ladder adapted to be folded, said \Vitnesses:

springs being bent parallel and in the same JONAS 13. JACKSON, direction and being adapted to form steps LOUISA A. L. JACKSON.

HENRY MAROHETER. 

